River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1887-10-13
Care of the Complexion.

Home knowledge: Plenty of exc r
else. good, wholesome food, well d.
gcsted, will do more for the complexion
than all the toilet appliances in
the world. Use the flesh brush
with vigor, walk, ride, row, run, giving
every muscle in the body something to
do; eat beef, brown bread, cereals,
fruit, vegetables. and milk, and good
complexion must be the result.
Good, nourishing food must be eaten
and well digested; the circulation equal
lied by plenty of exercise IN the open
air and frequent bathing. Each
woman must be law unto herself as
to the number and temperature of the
baths, rs what strengthens and braces
up one may be found to weaken and
enervate another.
For those who have vitality enough
to react, the cold sponge bath in the
morning will be found delightful
tonic. Delicate women will find that
by beginning them in the warm weather
they will, in most cases, be able to con-
tinue during the entire year. A hand
full of sea salt dissolved in the water
will do much to strengthen the weak
chest or back. In many cases the hot
bath at night quiets the nerves, re-
freshes the body, and induces sleep,
but care should be taken not to remain
in the water too long; otherwise it will
be found facilitating.
Distilled water IS, of course. the best,
but as all cannot-like Queen Victoria
afford SO expensive a luxury, it will
be found that clean rain water or any
soft water viii do nearly as well. Those
who cannot obtain either one of these
may use few drops of ammonia,
which will make the hardest water
soft and clean off all impurities A
box of powdered borax is also an in
dispensable article upon the toilet
table; pinch of this will soften the
water and is said to whiten the skin.
Oatmeal used externally and eaten
frequently is very beneficial to the skin,
as are also cracked wheat and other
cereals. Put a handful of oatmeal in
a bowl and pour cup of boiling water
over it. When this is settled wash the
hands and face in the starchv water
that rises to the top of ii. The CON
tinued use of this for a week and the
wearing of gloves at night win soften
and whiten the toughest and darkest
skin.
Ladies with oily or greasy skins
may use, sparingly, few drops of
camphor in the bath, OF a few drops of
diluted carbolic acid The latter re-
moves the odor of perspiration from the
body and leaves a clean, wholesome
smell. Care should be taken that it is
not used too strong, as it is not only
poisonous, but the odor is very offensive
to some people. Borax and glycerine
combined are used with good effect by
some ladies, while thoroughly disagree
ing with others. Glvcerine alone soft
ems and heals. but used too frequently
viii darken the skin and make it very
sensitive; the borax obviates this and
has tendency TO whiten.
To remove tan and sunburn use
preparation composed of equal parts of
glycerine and rose-water, to which add
the juice of two lemons after having
strained it through fine muslin. More
or less rose-water may be used to make
the preparation the required consis-
tency, as it is rather disagreeable if
sticky. Fresh freckles may frequently
be removed by touching the discolora-
tons with tiny camel's hair brush
dipped in lemon juice.
Finely powdered pumice-stone, which
may be had at any druggists, is very
eflecatious in removing all superfuous
and roughened skin. Rub the hands
and face thoroughly with it, dry, then
wash off with tepid water and soap.
Tie use of.warm water is also very
beneficial; some people go so far as to
claim that the continued use of it will
not only preserve the skin, but prevent
wrinkles.
The proper toilet observances at
night should be considered as person
al duty.